February 17, 2019.
The first event was held at Makibi Park in Yata, Mabi.
The theme was “Connecting with People You Want to Meet.”
I covered the festival that was held with the hope of becoming a place where people can connect, regardless of whether they were affected by the disaster or their current place of residence.
Purpose of the "Mabi New Year Festival"
The "Mabi New Year Festival" aims to raise awareness of many support organizations.
It was planned to provide a place for residents to consult about their problems and to serve as a bridge to specific support organizations, creating opportunities for connection.
The purpose is also to inform people that support activities are still ongoing as of February 2019, and to convey the importance of what is needed even more than six months after the July 2018 heavy rain disaster.
The event was organized by Kitayama Noriaki, the representative of "team Momotaro."
Mr. Kitayama established "team Momotaro" on July 7, 2018, based on the slogan "Convey, Connect, Act, and Help Each Other," and has been involved in recovery support since immediately after the disaster.
Opening Remarks
Remarks by Kitayama Noriaki
Kitayama
Those affected by the heavy rain disaster in July 2018 must have found it very difficult, as it was such a severe disaster, and at that time, they probably didn't know what was happening.
I planned the "Mabi New Year Festival" to let those living in temporary housing away from Mabi know that support organizations are still active as of February 2019.
I hope to create a place where both those affected and those not affected can say, "I met that person, and we met here again today."
I want to make this event a success not just by ourselves, but with everyone's cooperation. Thank you!
Remarks by Okuda, Chair of the Sono Town Development Promotion Committee
Okuda
I hope everyone can feel the efforts being made for the quick recovery and reconstruction of Mabi Town through events like this.
And I wish for as many people from Mabi Town as possible to return so that this town can return to its former state.
Booth of the NPO "Okayama Beauty Summit"
I visited the booth of "Okayama Beauty Summit," a group of professionals in beauty, health, healing, and living, who are working to enrich the mind and body and revitalize the Okayama region.
I spoke with Iida Noriko, who operated the aesthetic salon "CP Salon Fana" in Yata, Mabi.
Iida
The women of Mabi Town who were affected by the disaster were so busy with cleaning their homes that they had no time to care for their skin.
Even in tough times, it's important to take a moment for self-care, like hand massages, during breaks from work.
By recovering the body and mind and maintaining mental health, one can regain energy through the healing effects.
Both my home and my shop were affected in Mabi Town, but I conducted volunteer activities such as hand massages.
Seeing the relief and joy on the faces of the women of Mabi Town after a massage made me want to reopen my business in Mabi and do my best to bring as many people back as possible.
I plan to reopen my new store in Arii, Mabi Town, in March 2019, so please feel free to visit!
I also received a five-minute hand massage, and it made me smile and feel healed as a part of my body relaxed.
Mabi Town Photo Cleaning @ Raccoon Booth
I spoke with Morita Yasushi from the Kurashiki City Disaster Volunteer Coordinator Liaison Association, who is active in "Mabi Town Photo Cleaning @ Raccoon."
"Mabi Town Photo Cleaning @ Raccoon Okayama" is a group that was established as a photo cleaning operation team by the Kurashiki City Disaster Volunteer Center and the Kurashiki City Social Welfare Council.
The "Raccoon" itself is a volunteer network that conducted photo cleaning activities across the country during the Great East Japan Earthquake.
After the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, "Raccoon" was also established in Okayama Prefecture.
At the festival booth, it was possible to actually clean photos, display unidentified photos for their owners to find, and also accept photo cleaning requests.
They explained the process and method of photo cleaning while showing panels.
Each photo is carefully dried, cut out from albums, and washed to remove mud, taking time to do so meticulously.
Those who cannot participate in physically demanding volunteer work said, "I'm glad to be able to help others, even a little," while working.
You can buy furniture and clothes, but you cannot buy memories captured in photos.
I helped display unidentified photos filled with memories, such as wedding photos, photos of when children were born, and family gathering photos.
Many participants were from Kurashiki and outside the prefecture, but I heard from Morita that they hope to have as many local people from Mabi Town participate as possible and develop it as a community activity.
For those who have not been able to engage in volunteer work until now and want to do something, why not help with photo cleaning?
Beloved Singing Voice of All Ages in Mabi "im im"
Many artists performed songs and dances on stage, showcasing their talents.
I watched the stage of the duo "im im," who have continued their live activities and volunteer work for recovery support in Mabi Town.
On the day of the festival, my partner Ken was absent due to influenza, but I was impressed by Kohei, who was singing and energetically engaging the audience by himself.
From little girls to grandpas and grandmas, everyone waved their hands to the music, creating a joyful atmosphere.
I realized that songs and performances are a source of energy.
Closing Remarks
Kitayama
Thank you all for gathering at the Mabi New Year Festival today.
This is my first time organizing such an event, and I was wondering what form it would take and what kind of encounters would happen.
I was truly happy to see everyone enjoying themselves and having warm conversations.
I felt once again that it doesn't matter about districts or regions.
I think there are various events, and what I realized this time is that anything can be done if we just keep at it.
I believe that the reason we were able to hold such a large event in a short period of time was because of everyone's efforts.
I think we created a place where people can meet, connect, and help each other.
Thank you very much.
Next, I spoke with Kitayama Noriaki, who gave a greeting at the opening and closing ceremonies, about the background leading up to the event and his current thoughts after it was held.
